Steam behind firewall makes me nervous
 

Hello 96 Ranger 4.0 2 wheel drive automatic. I've got a little problem with steam coming out from behind the firewall just below where the hearter hoses connect at the firewall. This I'm assuming this is what is causing the overheating problem I'm having. I'm trying to determine what exactly is behind the firewall. I assume it's the heater core and something must be broken where the heater hose connects to the core. Everything i've read seems to indicate a real pain getting it out. If that's the only choice I have that's what i'll do. I was hoping to get some sort of confirm before tearing it all down. Has anyone ever seen this area and know what it looks like and what I'm up against? Pictures of that area would be great. Also if I just connect the two hoses that run into the firewall together will that work as a workaround until I can fix the core? I'm in Phoenix so no hearter really isn't a problem. Thanks for any advice you may have

You are right, your heater core is leaking. Yes you can just connect the two hoses together and by pass the heater for now. Should get you by until you can fix it correctly

You are rightit's the heater core and you can bypass the heater core with the two hoses. My buddy's car's heater core has been bypassed for a couple of years at least. No problems wit hit whatsoever. Good Luck with it!